Swine flu patient blinks to connect
By EMMA BAILEY - The Timaru Herald
Swine flu has left a Waimate woman with only half a lung functioning and able to communicate only by blinking.
She has been air-lifted to Auckland Hospital.
Timaru Hospital confirmed yesterday that the 43-year-old mother, in a serious but stable condition, was transferred to Auckland Hospital's intensive care unit on Tuesday night after having been in intensive care for nearly three weeks.
A source close to the patient said one lung had failed and only half of the second lung was functioning.
The mother of four was first taken to Timaru Hospital on Saturday, August 8 with flu-like illness and a high temperature. She was given antibiotics and discharged.
Later that day her partner rang for an ambulance and she was driven back in from Waimate.
Swine flu was confirmed and she was placed in intensive care. She is believed to have no underlying health problems.
"She has only just started responding to medication which has helped her blood circulation. She is now clear of swine flu but it has basically eaten away at her organs," the source said.
"She has been communicating by blinking. The family are hoping she will be getting a lung transplant."
South Canterbury District Health Board would not comment on the patient.
There has been one flu-related death in the region since the pandemic began. A 48-year-old Timaru woman who had swine flu, died on July 28. The coroner has yet to release the findings on the cause of death.
There are 70 confirmed cases of swine flu in South Canterbury, but the actual number is thought to be much higher as routine testing of those suspected to have it has stopped.
Nationally, the number of deaths from swine flu is 16, and more than 3114 confirmed cases of swine flu.
The World Health Organisation reports that transmission of the pandemic is declining globally.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2805433/Swine-flu-patient-blinks-to-connect
By EMMA BAILEY - The Timaru Herald
Swine flu has left a Waimate woman with only half a lung functioning and able to communicate only by blinking.
She has been air-lifted to Auckland Hospital.
Timaru Hospital confirmed yesterday that the 43-year-old mother, in a serious but stable condition, was transferred to Auckland Hospital's intensive care unit on Tuesday night after having been in intensive care for nearly three weeks.
A source close to the patient said one lung had failed and only half of the second lung was functioning.
The mother of four was first taken to Timaru Hospital on Saturday, August 8 with flu-like illness and a high temperature. She was given antibiotics and discharged.
Later that day her partner rang for an ambulance and she was driven back in from Waimate.
Swine flu was confirmed and she was placed in intensive care. She is believed to have no underlying health problems.
"She has only just started responding to medication which has helped her blood circulation. She is now clear of swine flu but it has basically eaten away at her organs," the source said.
"She has been communicating by blinking. The family are hoping she will be getting a lung transplant."
South Canterbury District Health Board would not comment on the patient.
There has been one flu-related death in the region since the pandemic began. A 48-year-old Timaru woman who had swine flu, died on July 28. The coroner has yet to release the findings on the cause of death.
There are 70 confirmed cases of swine flu in South Canterbury, but the actual number is thought to be much higher as routine testing of those suspected to have it has stopped.
Nationally, the number of deaths from swine flu is 16, and more than 3114 confirmed cases of swine flu.
The World Health Organisation reports that transmission of the pandemic is declining globally.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2805433/Swine-flu-patient-blinks-to-connect